‘Good day for Scotland’: US lifts tariffs on Scotch
“This is a good day for Scotland,” said the country’s first minister, as the US officially returned to tariff-free trading for Scotch whisky.
US president Donald Trump announced Scotch whisky would be exempt from tariffs following King Charles III’s state visit in April this year.
The tariff was officially removed today (24 July).
Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, said: “The result is a ‘zero-for-zero’ tariff regime that is a win for Scotland and a win for the United States.
“It benefits businesses and workers on both sides of the Atlantic and not just among whisky producers but also the businesses and communities that support the sector across Scotland.
“This is a good day for Scotland.”
Export volumes of Scotch to the US fell by 15% between May and December 2025, following the introduction of a 10% tariff in April that year. By value, exports decreased by 7% during this period.
The US is Scotch whisky’s most valuable market and was worth £933 million (US$1.24bn) in 2025, according to the Scotch Whisky Association.
The trade body is among industry parties that have welcomed the development.
Ian Duddy, international director of the Scotch Whisky Association, commented: “The removal of tariffs provides greater confidence to invest, grow exports, and support jobs and communities across Scotland and the US.
“From Kentucky to Speyside, this will not only benefit the Scotch and US whisky sectors, but our wider supply chains of cooperages, farmers, hospitality and retail.
“This outcome is testament to the strength of the enduring relationship between the UK and the US. On behalf of the Scotch whisky industry, we are grateful to everyone who worked to make this happen, including His Majesty The King during his recent state visit.
“We look forward to building on this positive momentum and working with partners on both sides of the Atlantic to ensure Scotch whisky continues to thrive.”
Progress needed for other spirits categories
Pernod Ricard, owner of Scotch brands including The Glenlivet and Chivas Brothers, also celebrated the return to tariff-free trading.
Nodjame Fouad, CEO of Pernod Ricard’s aged spirits and Champagne division, noted: “This move will improve access for American consumers to iconic Scotch whiskies such as The Glenlivet, while supporting businesses at home, and strengthening the longstanding trading relationship between the UK and US spirits industries.
“We now hope to see further progress made towards the removal of tariffs affecting other spirits and wine categories – including Irish whiskey, Champagne and Cognac – to deliver benefits for consumers, producers and hospitality businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.”
This sentiment was echoed on the other side of the Pond, with trade body the Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus) also encouraging the removal of tariffs for other spirits made in the EU.
Chris Swonger, president and CEO of Discus, added: “Lifting this tariff provides much-needed relief for US hospitality businesses and demonstrates the benefits of fair, reciprocal trade. It is a meaningful step toward restoring the zero-for-zero tariff framework that fuelled growth, investment and job creation throughout the spirits sector for decades.
“We look forward to working with the administration to build on this progress by extending tariff relief to other imported spirits, particularly those from the European Union, which would help reduce costs for restaurants, bars and other hospitality businesses across the country.”
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